King Lear versus Nature

King Lear introduces the theme of nature in Act 1. After having disowned Cordelia, Lear refers to her as “a wretch whom Nature is ashamed,” (1.1.213). It is here Lear appeals to Nature and sees it as being an enforcer of the social order. The social order that Lear demands is one where children are loyal to their parents, unlike his “wretch” Cordelia. Later in Scene 4, Lear provides an apostrophe to Nature where he asks the gods to punish Goneril by going “Into her womb,” to “convey sterility” (1.4.246). Thus far, it can be seen that Lear calls to Nature when his authority is called into question. Lear has given away all of his lands but refuses to have his power diminished in that it is simply natural for him to be the one to rule. After being refused to see Regan on the grounds of sickness, Lear remarks “Whereto our health is bound; we are not ourselves / When nature being oppressed, commands the mind / To suffer with the body” (2.4.102-104). This statement further delves into Lear’s beliefs on nature in that what is being said is not done out of convenience for his self-centered and vengeful persona. This is an honest and understanding allowance that finds when an individual is ill they no longer function in a normal way, similar to Lear’s previous notions that when norms are compromised, Nature is wronged. The discussion of Nature by Lear begins to reach it’s climax at the close of this Scene when Lear tells Regan “Allow not nature more than nature needs, / Man’s life is cheap as beast’s” (2.4.264-265). Here Lear asserts that his army is a truly unnecessary item of his because all items not essential to survival are unnecessary. He argues that humans have desires beyond that of basics like food and shelter. Lear sees that human nature demands excess.

Act 3 sees not just Lear’s discussion about Nature but his actual interaction with it. Lear stands outside in a raging storm, having been pushed out by his daughters. Lear calls to the Heavens “I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness; / I never gave you kingdom” (3.2.16-17). Lear claims that Nature never hurt him, something his daughters were so quick to do after gaining his inheritance. As the King stands under the tempest and cries “Here I stand your slave, / A poor, infirm, weak and despised old man” (3.2.19-20). King Lear admits that he is lacking the strength, power and likeability of his previous years and sees that he is now a slave to Nature and all of it’s “horrible pleasure” (3.2.19), meaning he is willing to be struck by lightning because he lives in a corrupted society that lacks gratefulness. This is seen in his lines “Crack nature’s molds; all germens spill at once / That makes ingrateful man!” (3.2.8-9).